Spoken As you may have noticed, the back page of our publication is dedicated to the presentation of the gospel, in one form or another. (Our page "An Invitation" also describes how a person can be saved.) Consequently, this page is devoted to those who are new Christians, new believers in Christ. The following is an article describing five things a Christian can do to grow in his faith.

Ok, so now you're a Christian. You've finally given your life to Christ. Now what? Is that it?
Not at all. What you've done is just the beginning. When a person becomes a Christian, they are actually starting on a journey of sorts...a journey to grow stronger in their faith, a life-long journey of following Christ and becoming more like Him.
In my own life, I have noticed five things in particular that have helped me to grow in the faith: daily prayer, Bible study/Bible reading, Christian fellowship, sharing the gospel with others, and daily surrender to the Holy Spirit.

1. Prayer

Prayer is a central theme throughout the entire Bible, probably because prayer one way we communicate with the Lord most completely. In the life of a new Christian, prayer is helpful in developing a deep relationship with the Lord, something that can be profoundly helpful in life.

Staying Close to Him. Spending time in prayer makes a huge difference in a believer's daily life. Prayer is used to bring us closer to God. As a Christian's relationship with the Lord grows deeper, everything in their life is affected. When a Christian spends time in God's presence, sin is often more quickly revealed--as a person sees more of God's holiness, they are aware of their sinfulness. Also, when a person focuses their attention on the Lord for a certain amount of time every day, that person is often more sensitive to the Lord's leading. Finally, a person who spends time regularly in prayer, growing closer to the Lord, is usually more able to resist the temptation of the world. When a person experiences some of God's glory, sin is not that appealing. The joy of the Christian life is present.
Getting Started. If you're not sure what to say, or how to pray, or where to pray, I encourage you to remember that when you are praying to the Lord, you are speaking with the One who loves you with undying, faithful love. He knows everything about you, and there's really no area in your life that you cannot share with Him. There is so much to talk about, so much to pray about! It may not happen over night, but as you continue to share that daily time alone with Him, your relationship will grow deeper. After years of spending daily time alone with the Lord, you may realize that even thirty minutes to an hour cannot contain everything you would like to pray about!
I often pattern my prayer time after the Lord's Prayer, as found in Matthew 6:9b-13. So, included in my time of prayer are: thanksgiving, praise, worship, surrender, petition, intercession, prayer for forgiveness, prayer for protection, and prayer for deliverance. In the past, I have bowed facedown in worship for minutes at a time, awed at the greatness of God. Other times, I have talked with Him as my closest Friend, for that is what He is to me. I encourage you, as a believer, to pray as the Lord leads. This is your time alone with God. You can even ask the Lord to make it what He wants it to be....but this time in prayer will probably impact you forever.

2. Bible study/Bible Reading

Listening to Him. Spending time in God's word, the Bible, provides the grounding for much of what a believer thinks and believes. God's Word is treasure, and a believer who studies the Bible is blessed by what He learns. In a confusing world in need of an absolute standard, the Bible is a guidebook, a point of reference, and a basis for all truth. In 2 Timothy 3:16 & 17, the Apostle Paul writes that "all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (KJV)
How to Study the Bible. Reading the Bible often, and even memorizing it, is a good way to familiarize yourself with different passages. However, there is often need for a more in-depth study of individual passages. This study often focuses on details, phrases, references, background,etc.--basically anything that will help a person know more about a particular passage. After knowing more about a certain verse or passage, a person might then more accurately apply it to their life or use it in reference during a conversation or message.
I try to read the Bible on two or three occasions per day, not only during my regular time alone with God, but also at night, when it is often the very last thing I read. Early in the day, I study some verse or passage thoroughly, and later at night I simply read a random verse or passage and reflect on it as my day concludes. I also recite Scripture regularly while I do chores. I want my mind to be filled with what is good and pure, and God's Word is definitely that! I also want to know God's word so that I will know more and more how I should live.
Dig deep. Learn more about God's Word. Spend time listening to Him.

3. Christian Fellowship

Spending Time With Your Family. The Body of Christ is a huge family: fellow believers are brothers and sisters in Christ, and God is the father of us all. While each one of us needs to grow spiritually on our own, networking with other believers is something needed in each one of our lives. We often call this "Christian fellowship". Often, Christians pray together, share the gospel together, worship God together, encourage one another, talk about the Lord, pray for each other...fellow Christians build each other up spiritually and help each other to grow stronger in their faith. When together, we are often stronger. We are a team of people living and working together for Christ.
Finding Your Family. For the average US person, believers in Christ are all around--If a person wants to find fellow Christians, all they have to do is look, ask, and pray. Often, a new believer already knows several believers and knows where to find more. To a new believer, I advocate having at least one strong Christian friend who is able to answer your questions about the Christian faith and who will keep you accountable. It is also helpful to involved one's self in a local church group where the Bible is taught and there is encouragement and instruction on living for the Lord.

4. Sharing the Gospel/Witnessing

Giving Your Testimony. Sometimes the easiest way for new believers to witness is to tell others what has just happened to them. Even though a person may be new in their faith, they still have a testimony: what God did for them.
Shortly after I gave my life to God, I often struggled to figure out how to explain what had happened in my life; I wasn't very good at theology, but I knew God had changed my life, and I knew that I was living for Him. It was only later that I was able to explain my salvation experience more completely. However, when I first shared my testimony with people I knew, the response was incredible. Young people became more serious about their faith, believers were encouraged...it was awesome. God still uses my testimony to bless people.
If you are a Christian, you have quite a story, and when you share that with others, they are blessed by what God has done in your life. Unbelievers notice when you change, and they often wonder why. Tell them about Christ and what He has done for you.
Learning How to Lead Someone to the Lord. The Holy Spirit is the One who draws people to Christ and saves them; however, God often uses us in that process. We are Christ's hands and feet on this earth, and we bear the message of life to the world.
Preparation for evangelism can be essential. Studying the Word, spending time in prayer, making yourself available to God, and letting God work freely in your life so that your lifestyle alone is a witness--these are all helpful in sharing the gospel. Sometimes it is also helpful to know verses that are helpful in explaining the gospel and/or questions that can be used to open up worthwhile discussion. Two books that I found very helpful in preparing for evangelism are Becoming a Contagious Christian, by Bill Hybels and Mark Mittelberg, and Share Jesus Without Fear, by William Fay and Ralph Hodge. Some online ministries that might also be helpful are The Way of the Master and Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry.
Right now, to a new believer, I would say this: the desire to share Christ with your world and the love you have for God is essential to evangelism. If you desire to be obedient to Him and you are actively trying to share your faith, He will help you. In time, He will mature you. However, you do not have to wait until your life or approach is perfect before you are an effective witness. God can use you now to share the good news of Christ! Yes, learn, and yes, prepare, but also be aware that God may choose, even now, to use you in the life of an unbeliever.

5. Daily Surrender to the Holy Spirit.

Your Helper. The Holy Spirit, the third person of the trinity, was sent to believers after Christ was resurrected and had ascended into heaven. When a person becomes a Christian, God's spirit is placed inside them, and that same Spirit then works in a believer's life to sanctify them. The Holy Spirit convicts and changes a believer. As long as God's spirit has free reign in a believer's life, that believer grows stronger in the faith, becoming more pure and holy.
Dying to Self. However, every day can be a battle. For some believers--myself included--it can be a struggle to surrender completely to Christ. Sin and fleshly desires often fight to overpower the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life. Sometimes every morning there is the question of whether I will live the day for Christ or for myself. As a Christian, I know that I am no longer mine; rather, I belong to Christ and no longer serve sin or fleshly desires. Sin should have no place in my life. So...what do I do about the war that rages within me?
For me, the solution has always been to surrender to Christ and resist temptation. Sometimes that is as simple as walking away from sinful or fleshly things and doing what Christ wants me to do. James 4:7 (KJV) says that we should "submit [ourselves] therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." When God reigns supremely in a person's life, sin cannot rule. When a person lives according to the Holy Spirit's direction, that person "shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16 KJV)
The Reward and Result. The rewards of living for the Lord are more than can be numbered. A life that is in the process of becoming free from all sin is a life God will reward, on this earth, and in heaven. Also, a life that is surrendered to the Holy Spirit is one that God can use greatly for His kingdom and for His glory. There is no comparison to a life lived for Christ.

"Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you..." (Romans 6:11-14a KJV)